Supporting our charity is supporting kids that have been victims of domestic violence.

 

Christmas is that time of the year when everyone wants to be with their family. Unfortunately, some boys and girls living in our community are not so lucky. Kids in residential care have been taken under the protection of The Department of Child Safety to save them from neglect, physical, psychological and sexual abuse. These are all forms of domestic violence at the hands of their own parents. This is the worst form of betrayal of a child’s love. Parent’s instincts should be to protect their own child at all costs, but not for these kids.

 

Kids end up in residential housing because adoption, and foster families did not work out for them. Most of these youngsters have had a very troubled childhood, and that is why they have found themselves in residential care. Sadly, the holiday period is a difficult time for these kids, when typically, families come together and share gifts with their loved ones.

 

Help us make Christmas special for Kids in Residential Care.

​

Our charity buys Christmas presents for kids who are classed as: 'Resi kids' (Residential Care in the community). Each child receives a gift bag filled with gifts to the value of $80.00, plus lollies, Christmas chocolates, a pencil case, a note book and pens for school.

​

In October each year, we send the young 'Resi' kids a form to complete that is their "Santas Wish List." Our amazing team of volunteers (Santa's helpers), then start shopping and individually packing the child's gift bag to open Christmas morning.

​

The reason why these children cannot be with a foster family are varied, but simply put, foster carers struggle with challenging teenage behaviours and usually won't accept children over the age of 12. Some kids have multiple disabilities combined with trauma, high risk activities, drugs, crime and disengagement from school. Foster carers cannot manage all of this, especially managing their own family and if they are not skilled enough to properly help these children.

 

The young people are housed in homes that are run by non-for-profit agencies that use paid staff to care for the teenagers. The kids are still classified as being in foster care, but not placed with a family. These 'Resi' kids are looked after by paid youth workers who play the role of foster carers.